Our foundation of experience in multidisciplinary areas,
including brand identity, web development, environmental design, and an array of extended creative platforms has helped community organizations to Fortune 500 companies present messaging that is relevant and highly effective. 
MEET Rene Payne
Rene is the founder and director of included.
She combines award-winning design and strategy with her experience breaking down antiquated social and cultural barriers to forge strong and lasting alliances with her clients. Her work has spanned the marketplace, from community organizations to Fortune 500 companies.
Her gift and passion as a strategist, artist, designer, and creative director are her ability to listen to her clients and interpret their vision in strategically sound and emotionally powerful ways.
In addition to receiving numerous design awards over the years, Rene received a Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the DesignxRI Hall of Fame in 2012. She is the first African American Designer to receive this prestigious award in honor of her unique contributions to design on a local, national, and international level.
She currently serves on the national advisory board of Studio 50/50 -- founded by Design Within Reach Founder Rob Forbes -- providing mentorship and support to Black entrepreneurs in the United States.
Rene has supported internal social equity initiatives connected to the RISD MLK Series and RISDiversity. In addition to directing included, she teaches and advises in the Graphic Design department at RISD, where she continues to pay it forward with the next generation of creative talent.